Reading is important at every age, and while some books will be required by the curriculum, there are a lot of other, more appropriate books out there for different ages. Here is our ultimate list of the best books for 10th graders, from fiction to nonfiction to many other types of books.

Fiction Books for 10th Graders

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Letters written by Charlie, an introverted high school freshman, tell the story of how he deals with the difficulties of daily life. The book is called The Perks of Being a Wallflower. It is a book that talks about a lot of the problems that high schoolers have to deal with. It also talks about mental illness and how that can make it hard for us to connect with other people.

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

This is the story of Pecola, a young African-American girl who lived in Ohio after the Great Depression. Toni Morrison wrote her first novel about Pecola, who lived in Ohio in the years after the Great Depression. Her eyes should turn blue so she can be seen as beautiful like the other blond-haired, blue-eyed girls at school. The book talks about a lot of important things about racism in the United States, and it's important for any young person to read it.

A Place Where the Sea Remembers by Sandra Benitez

Chayo and Candelario are a couple who live in Santiago, Mexico. They are finally given the child they thought they would never have. This happy event starts a chain of events that affect everyone around them in ways they never thought possible.

Native Son by Richard Wright

This dark and intense book is about Bigger Thomas, who commits a terrible crime in a moment of panic. He goes into a downward spiral in this book. Not only does this book show how this young man thinks, but it also shows how this young man came to this point in his life and what led to it.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Sylvia Plath's book is one of the most well-known, long-lasting, and realistic depictions of a woman with mental illness. A look into some of the darkest parts of the human mind is given to us as we follow Esther Greenwood as she goes under.

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

He makes it his goal to get Natasha back when he falls in love with her on the day she is going to leave. While the love story is the main point of the book, it also talks about important issues like immigration and other things that affect people's lives in this country.

Nonfiction Books for 10th Graders

A long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah

It is Ismael Beah's story. He was a child soldier in the government army of Sierra Leone when he was young. Having fled the band of rebels at the age of 12, he was picked up and forced to join the army and do terrible things. This is the story of how he got through that terrible time in his life.

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

This graphic memoir gives an easy-to-read and interesting look at what it was like to grow up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. It's told from Marjane's point of view from the age of 6 to 14. People of all ages can better understand this complicated subject and learn along with the narrator.

We Should Hang Out Sometime: Embarrassingly, a True Story by Josh Sundquist

This is a true story about Sundquist, who is now 25 and has a crush on every girl he ever had a crush on from middle school to high school. He wants to know what went wrong. This book is for anyone who thinks that dating is more difficult than it should be. It's also a lot of fun.

Rhythm Ride: A Road Trip Through the Motown Sound by Andrea Davis Pinkney

This book is a great way to learn about the history of Motown and how this type of music has shaped the music we listen to today. This is one of the best books for 10th graders who like music and want to learn more about its history.

Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom (With a Few Flat Tires Along the Way) by Sue Macy

This scrapbook-style book talks about the history of the bicycle and how it helped to start the women's rights movement. The bicycle was not only a way for women to be free physically, but also a way for them to be more powerful.

Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World by Penelope Bagieu

Brazen is a collection of short graphic novels about women who did great things and made the world a better place. While some of the women in this book are well-known, others aren't. All of them have a brazen, rebellious spirit that makes them stand out.

Science Fiction/Fantasy Books for 10th Graders

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Learn about the Shadowhunters, a secret group of warriors who fight to drive demons out of our world and back to where they came from. This dark world comes into Clary Fray's life after she almost died when she was attacked by a demon. This is not just unlikely, it is almost impossible for her to do.

Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

As soon as an asteroid hits Earth and moves the moon closer to the Earth, the planet is rocked by natural disasters that cause global destruction. The book is about Miranda, who is a high school student. Her world is turned upside down and she and her family have to fight to stay alive.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Suppose everyone was beautiful. It's a sci-fi book about a world where everyone gets cosmetic surgery to make them "pretty" when they're 16. The novel takes place in a world where there is no more scarcity. It talks about government conspiracies and what true freedom is.

Seafire by Natalie C. Parker

The warlord who killed Caledonia Styx's family was a corrupt one. She has to set her own course across the seas in search of revenge. Other women who've lost everything join her on this quest for revenge. They do everything they can to keep each other alive as the journey goes on.

Sports Books for 10th Graders

Best Seat in the House: a Basketball Memoir by Spike Lee

In this book about basketball, Spike Lee talks about how this sport has shaped his life. He talks about fights he had on the sidelines, talks he had with famous players, and how he thinks athletes should be in business and culture.

Shoe Dog: Young Readers Edition by Phil Knight

From high school track star to owner of one of the most successful sports brands in history, Phil Knight tells his story. If you want to learn more about the man who made swoosh, this is a book you'll want to read.

Tumbling by Caela Carter

This book for 10th graders tells the story of four gymnastics athletes who want to compete in the Olympics. They have to go through a two-day trial that will decide their future. When you read this book, you can see how much drama is going on in the lives of these young women, and you'll be hooked from the first page.

Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina by Michaela DePrince and Elaine DePrince

This is the true story of a young girl who was raised in an orphanage in war-torn Sierra Leone. She came to the U.S. and became a ballet star. It's a story about a person who overcame all the odds and found success that can only be dreamed of.

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